The future of driving

According to the Future Foundation, over 87% of people in the UK state they don't know enough about electric cars. The information presented is often quite confusing. For a while there seemed to be the school of thought that the electric car had died. It was impractical, large as a milk float, 'sexy as an old pair of shoes', and the list could go on. A fascinating documentary was made years ago, called Who Killed the Electric Car? It explored why electric cars took off and then bottomed out. The Economist wrote about whether electric cars have reached 'a Netscape moment'. There are so many barriers to entry for electric cars to rock up, onto the market. Having said this, as new technology developed and support systems are in place- like good infrastructure, the electric car is a very real and feasible alternative to the combustion engine.  It seems like everyone has made their mind up about the electric car a bit too soon.

Yesterday, I went to 'A Smarter Choice' launch and took the new Smart Electric car for a little spin. Especially in cities, big cosmopolitan areas, electric cars make so much sense. It's convenient as it's itsy bitsy in size and it's dead easy to drive. Hop in, turn on the engine, select from one of 4 options (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive) and you're on your way.

Something that surprised me was how quickly the car can accelerate (you can go from 0-to-40 mph in a time of 6.5 seconds) and how quiet the car is.

During the panel discussion (which had representation from the Future Foundation, Smart, Transport for London, EDF and Eco Age) it was made abundantly clear that the infrastructure is lacking- and also one of the biggest barriers in bringing these cars to the market. It was described as a chicken and egg scenario where the cost of the cars and supporting infrastructure won't go down until there's demand for them, but there isn't demand because the costs are high and the convenience isn't quite there. For one year the equivalent cost of petrol for the Smart ED is approximately £150. For a standard vehicle its £1500. Boasting long term savings doesn't help in the short term when there aren't many incentives in place yet.

Charging points for example, are a biggie when it comes to the convenience factor of leasing one of these cars. People get Range Anxiety. Kind of in the same way people can be so desperate to find a place to charge laptops, and mobile phones, only this time it's a car. The range on the Smart ED is around 85 miles. This is more than enough if the car is used for bumping around town, but what about beyond? What if people want to use the car for weekends away? In addition to cost incentives, the inconvenience one is tricky, but can be done once infrastructure supports it. The spokesperson from TFL explained how now in planning permisisons, charge points are being included, so when these cars come to market there won't need to be a massive retrofit to install charge points.

Infrastructure aside, the new technology is exciting, Think wireless charging points, where cars can drive onto a cattle grid type contraption and recharge, in the not so distant future. Think customised batteries with increased range and ability. Now, residents in London and the South East will put 60 of the vehicles on the road, UK largest ever electric car trial.

The electric car is so not dead, it's making a comeback.

Ps- If you'd like to know more about Electric cars, you can visit Green Thing's wiki or read about driving the good drive.

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